Automatic ice-elevator.



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I .I I 1 INVENTOH )Zg//zc/L By ATTORNEYS N pq /WZZZ PATBNTED 1350.31, 1907.

I hm W. H. LYNCH. AUTOMATIC ICB ELBVATOR.

APPLICATION 11.21) JULYls. 1907 rus Numus fz-rlp! cu.. wAsnmaruN, o. c.

PATENTED DEG. 31, 1907.

E .HU N Y L H.. W 4.. A1 ..0 5| 7 oo n N AUTOMATIC ICB ELEVATOR.

Y L T P L 3. 9 A P 10A ION 1 ED JULYl 1 07 3SHEETS SHEET 2- @ma MN NMN WWTWI,

W/TNESSES MMM/rg' A TTORN E YS No. 875,544. PATENTED DEG. 31, 1907. W. H. LYNCH. AUTOMATIC ICE BLEVATOR.

I D J L 13.190 APPLICATION ILE U Y 'I 3BHEETS SHEET 3- UNITED sTATEs PATENT CEEICE.

I WILLIAM II. LYNCH, oF NEW BEDFORD, MAssACnUsETTs.

AUTOMATIC ICE-ELEvAToR.

To all whom it may concern:

YBe it known that I, WILLIAM H. LYNCH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Bedford, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have inventeda new and Improved Automatic Ice-Elevator, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description` The invention relates to ice harvesting machinery, and its object is to provide a new and improved automatic ice elevator, more especially designed for elevating the cakes of ice from the water-way to thel ice house, in a very :simple and economical manner and without requiring attention by skilled labor.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, which will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speclication, in `which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improvement; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the lower end of the improvement, parts being in section; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the improvement, showing more particularly the ice Carrier in gripping position on the incline, parts being broken out; Fig. 4 is'an enlarged plan view of the hoisting drum and connect-` ed parts; Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the switch mechanism for the ice carrier, the switch mechanism being in open position; Fig. 6 is a similar'view of the same showing the switch in a closed position on the return or downward travel ofthe carrier; Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse section of the improvement on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5, and

Fig. 8 is a face view of the planer.

The incline A of the automatic ice elevator connects at it lower end with a frame forming a water box B extending into the water-way C, and the said water box B is open at the V'front end to permit floating the ice cakes from the water-way into the said Water box B, in which one or a number of ice cakes are engaged by an open carrier D for carrying the ice cakes up the incline A to the entrance of one of the chutes E, located one above the other, and leading to the different galleries in the ice house in which the ice cakes are stored.

The carrier D is referably in the form of a rectangular open fiame (see Fig. 3) having side bars D', a front cross bar D2 and a rear Specification of Letters Patent. Denman filed July 13.1907. serial No. 383.591.

Patented Dec. 31, 1907.

cross bar D3, the latter being provided with spikes D2 at the inner side for engaging cakes ofice held within the Water box B. The forward cross bar D2 of the carrier D is connectmember I xedon one end of the drum G,

and a clutch member I2 mounted to turn with and to slide on the shaft H, so as to move intov and out of engagement with the clutch meinber I The clutch member I2 is engaged by a shifting device in the form of a toggle lever I3 controlled by a trip rod J extending clown on the outside of the incline A and. mounted to slide in suitable bearings A held on the in- Cline A. On the trip rod J is adjustably secured a lug J by the use of a set screw J2, the said lug J projecting into .the path of one of the trunnions or guide pins D5 formed on the ends of'the forward cross bar'D2- of the ice carrier D (see Fig. 3). The rear `cross bar D3 is provided at' its ends with trunnions D, and the trunnions D5 and D6 are adapted to travel in main guideways A2 formed in the sides of the incline A. The main guideway A2 on each side of the incline A connects near its lower end with a branch guideway A3, and the lower ends of the guideways A2 and A3 extend or continue in the sides B of the water box B and lead to approximately horizontally extending guideways A4, A5 formed in the sides B and connected at their outer ends with each other by an inclined drop guideway A6. The guideway A"L has a forward extension A7, as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to form a stop for the trunnions D6 at the time the carrier D is in the extreme lowermost position shown in Fig. 2.

A shoe or switch K is arranged at the junction of the guideways A2, A2, and the said shoe. or switch K is fulcrumed on the side of the incline A and extends upwardly, and is pressed on by a spring K to normally hold the same in a closed position (see Figs. 2 and 6). Thus when the carrier D travels downed by ropes or cables F with a hoisting drum the carrier D moves into the extreme loweri' (Silk-fili.'V la'v jipns D, D5 travel over thec'lsed shoe or sw'tch K, and thereby pass from the guideway A2 into the branch-guideway A3, but when the carrier D .travels upward the trunnions D5 travel over the closed shoe K up into the guideway A7, while the trunnions D6 coming up from the guideway A4 and lower end of the guideway A2 pass under the spring-pressed shoe or switch K, thus lifting the same, to finally pass into the upper portion -of the guideway A2.

It is understood that when the carrier D travels downward, the trunnions D6 pass from the main guideway A2 into the branch guideway A3, then into the guideway A5, down the incline or drop A(s and into the extension A7 of the guideway A4. When the carrier D. travels upward the trunnions D travel from the extension gui'deway A7 into the guideway A, and then up the guidewayI A2 and under the spring-pressed shoe K, as previously explained.

The guideways A4 and their extensions A7 are a distance below the level of the waterway C and consequently the rear cross bar D3 is in the rear of the cakes of ice floated into the water box B previous .to the carrier D passing into a lowermost position. Now

when the carrier D has passed to a lowerengaged by a trip lever L fnlcrumed at L on one side of the incline A, and the said trip lever L is provided with an extension arm L2 adapted to be engaged by one of the trunnions D5, to swing the tripv lever L out of engagement with a corresponding notch J, to unlock the trip rod J, and thereby permit the same to slide down into a lowermost position, to throw the clutch mechanism I into gear, that is, to connect the continually driven shaft H with the drum G at the time most position.

The operation is as follows: When the machine is 1n use the shaft H is continually running and when the carrier D has passed into' the cakes of ice at e open entrance to achute E, then the correspondln "trunnion D5 moves in engagement with the ug J thus shifting the trip rod J upwardly to actuate the clutch mechanisml, that is, to throw lthe clutch memberl2 out of engagement with the clutch member I. When this takes place the drum- G is released and the carrier D by its own weight travels down theincline A back to a normal or starting position, it being understood that during the time the carrier D travels up the incline A, a new load ofice cakes is pushed into the water box B. N ow when the carrier D returns and the ice cakes are not pushed far enough into the water box B for the cross bar D3 to clear the ice cakes, then the trip lever'L is not actuated, and consequently the trip r'od J remains in the locked position With the clutch member l2 out jofV engagement with the clutch member l. N ow'when this happens the cakes of ice have to be ushed inward in the water box B sufficient y to clear the rear cross bar D3, so that' the carrier D can slidev down into its extreme lowermost position for the corresponding trunnionD5 to trip the trip lever L,

this takes place', the clutch mechanism I again connects the shaft H with the drum G. so that the latter winds up the ropes or cables F, and the carrier D again starts on its up travel with the cakes of ice.

From the foregoin it will be seen that the shaft H is continua ly rotated, and consequentl y needs no attention on the part of the operator, and the carri-er D is automatically tripped after it has discharged its load on one of the chutes E, so that no attention whatever is required on the part of the oper-A ator except to fill the water box B with cakes of ice for engagement by the carrier D.

By having the extension guideways A7 for the trunnions D". to travel in, sufficient room is had for proper resetting of the carrier D, it being, however, expressly understood that the carrier D does not roperly reset if obstructed. by a cake ofP ice, as above explained, 'The sides B of the water box B may be'hinged onthe sides of the incline A, if desired so as to permit of swinging the said sides B upward out of the water, to prevent the sides -trom freezing in during the. night or anyotber time when the ice elevator is not in use.- By adjusting the lug J -on the trip rod J the load of ice cakes carried up by the carrier D can be tripped at any one of the chutes E connected at its entrance end with the incline A in the usual manner.

The drum G may be provided with a manually controlled brake mechanism, in case a friction clutch is used instead of the clutch mechanism l shown and above described.

An ice cake planer N comprising a toothed bar arranged transversely of the chute is seeured to the incline A a distance above the with a view to release the trip rod J. Then shoe or switch K, and this planer N is in the form of a toothed bl ade extending transversely and secured to the sides of the incline a distance above the slatted bottom thereof, so as to remove any snow or other layers that may be on the top of the cake.

It is understood that when the carrier D pushes the cakes up the incline A they pass the planer N, which by its sharpened edge cuts ofi any surplus top layers so that the cakes delivered are practically of uniform size. The planer N is arranged at a suitable distance above the carrier, so that the ascending cakes of ice will pass beneath'it and by the movement of the cakes, any portion thereof which projects above the planer will be removed.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. An automatic ice elevator comprising an incline, a driven shaft at the head of the incline, a drum mounted to-turn loosely on said shaft, a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the said shaft and the said drum, an open frame ice carrier adapted to travel up and down on the said incline, cables connecting the drum, and means controlled by the movement of the carrier for releasing the clutch mechanism at a predetermined point in the travel of the carrier.

2. An automatic ice elevator comprising an incline, a driven shaft at the head of the incline, a drum mounted to turn loosely on the said shaft, a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the said shaft and the said drum, an open frame ice carrier adapted to travel up and down on the said incline, a flexible connection between the said ice carrier and the said drum, and a tripping device for the said clutch mechanism and controlled by the said ice carrier, to release the drum at the time the ice carrier reaches a discharging position and to connect the said drum with the driven shaft at the time the ice carrier reaches the extreme lowermost position.

3. An automatic ice elevator comprising an incline, a driven shaft at the head of the incline, a drum mounted to turn loosely on the said shaft, a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the s. id shaft and the said drum, an open fram ice carrier adapted to travel up and down on the said incline, a flexble connection between the said ice carrier and the said drum,'a trip rod arranged alongside the said incline and connected with the said clutch mechanism, al

trip lug adjustably held on the upper portion of the said trip rod, and projecting into the path of the said ice carrier and a trip lever fulcrumed on the incline at or near the lower end thereof and adapted to engage notches on the lower end of the said trip rod, the said trip lever being controlled by the said ce carrier` 4. An ice elevator comprising an incline having main guideways at the sides, each guideway having a return guideway, a water box at'the lower end of the said incline and having its sides provided with continuous guideways connected at their forward ends with the said main guideways and the said branch or return guideways, the said continuous uideways having outward extensions, an an ice carrier adapted to travel up and down on the said incline, and having its ends provided with transverse pins adapted to travel in the said guideways of the in-. oline, the rear pins being also adapted to travel in the continuous guideways and the extensions thereof in the water box. Y 5. An'automatic ice elevator comprising an incl-ine, a carrier for carrying' the cakes up the incline, and a planer attached to the incline a distance above the bottom thereof to plane the ice cakes carried up the incline by the said carrier.

6. An automatic ice elevator comprising an incline, a carrier for carrying the cakes up the incline, and a planer attached to the inoline a distance above the bottom thereof to plane the ice cakes carried up the incline by the said carrier, the said planer being in the form of a blade having a cutting edge.

7. An automatic ice elevator comprising an incline, a carrier for carrying the cakes up the incline, and a planer-attached tQtheincline a distance above the bottom thereof to plane the ice cakes carried up the incline by the said carrier, the said planer being in the 1( form of a blade extending transversely across the incline and secured to the sides of the incline a distance above the bottom thereof.

8. An ice carrier comprising a chute, a water way in which the chute opens, a con- 11 tinuously driven shaft at the top of the chute, a reel on the shaft, a clutch for connecting the reel with the shaft, a rod extending alongslde the chute for operating the clutch, means engaging the rod for normally retaining the clutch in inoperative position, ropes winding on the reel, a carrier connected with the free ends of the ropes, said chute being provided with guideways for engagement by the carrier, means in the water way for lifting the lower end of the carrier to pass above the cakes of ice in the water and to drop therebehind when the carrier is in its lowest position, means whereby the carrier may be released, rod engaging means when 1 the carrier is in position behind the cakes, and a stop on the rod for engagement by the carrier to release the clutch.

9. An ice carrier comprising a chute, a water way in which the chute opens, a continul ously driven shaft at the top of the chute, a reel on the shaft, a clutch for connecting the reel with the shaft, a rod extending alaongside the chute for operating the clutch, means l engaging the rod for retaining the clutch i inoperative position, ropes winding on the reel, a carrier connected with the ropes, means whereby the carrier may release the rod engaging means when it is in its lowest position, and a stop adjustable on the rod for engagement by the carrier to operate the clutch.-v

10. An ice elevator comprising an incline, a continuously driven shaft'at the head of the incline, a drum mounted to turn loosely on the reel, a clutch, mechanism for connecting the drum and the shaft, ropes winding on the drum, an ice carrier connected with the ropes', means for locking the clutch in inoperative position', means whereby the carrier may release the locking means at the commencement of its'upward travel, and means operated by the carrier for releasing the clutch at a predetermined point in the travel of said carrier` 11. An ice elevator comprising an incline having main guideways at the sides, each guideway having a return guideway, a water ous guideways and the extensions th'ereofin.

the water box, and a spring-pressed shoe in each main guideway at the beginning point of the return guideway.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM H. LYNCH.

Witnesses:

CHAs. N. RICHMOND, JOSEPH D. ROBERTS. 

